Greece to lend France Crotale anti-aircraft systems to protect Paris during Olympics, Dendias said

File Photo The Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias attended today, Friday, April 26, 2024, as a representative of the Government, the “Honor and Remembrance for the Fallen in the Gallipoli Campaign” events organized in Limnos, by the North Aegean Region in collaboration with the Municipality Lemnos, accompanied by the Chief of the GETHA, General Dimitrios Houpis, and the Chief of the GES, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis. APE-ME/MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/STR

Greece’s decision to lend Crotale anti-aircraft systems to France at its request, for the protection of Paris during the Olympic Games, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced.

At the same time, he categorically reiterated that Patriot and S-300 anti-aircraft systems will not be sent to Ukraine as “the country is not going to be deprived of those that are necessary for its defense and the protection of the key interests of our homeland”.

Mr. Dendias visited the regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikosta, in his office in Thessaloniki and made statements after the end of the meeting.

“It is also my great pleasure to be here today, in the Region of Central Macedonia. It is obvious that from here I had to start the effort for the European elections. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, in addition to being my friend for many years, is a Regional Governor of more than 60%. So his help is absolutely necessary and I came to ask him for it so that we, New Democracy, the party led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, achieve a good result in the European elections, here in Central Macedonia. And of course, during our meeting before, we exchanged views on how we can do better.

I would like to thank him for publicly acknowledging the excellent partnership the District has with the Ministry of National Defense and mentioning the specific goals we have already achieved together.

As for my other “hat”, the “hat” of the Coordinator of the pre-election campaign of the New Democracy in the Region of Central Macedonia for the European elections, with absolute modesty I take on the difficulty of the undertaking. I also know very well our polling performance and any difficulties we face. But I also know that here is the historical cradle of our party.

Konstantinos Karamanlis comes from the Region of Central Macedonia. Here historically we have been able to have an open communication with the voters of this District, and I want us to restore that good communication. And I say again, with the help of Apostle Tzizikostas, I am optimistic that we can succeed.

In the coming weeks we will make that effort, explain the stakes. The stake is clear, it concerns in principle the Greek course in Europe, a course which has been drawn and must be continued. But it also concerns Europe itself. Populism must be dealt with, Euroscepticism must be dealt with, these forces which are fighting European integration must be dealt with. I think we will all make it together.

Again I want to express to the Regional Governor my thanks, if you want my gratitude for the help he has said he will generously give me.

QUESTION: Mr. Minister, you have taken a stand, yet the reports persist in relation to the issues of weapons systems that may be transferred to Ukraine. Is there anything new on this?

NIKOS DENDIAS: First of all, let’s be clear, I don’t have a “hat” to change every time, but I will answer you directly. The Government Representative was posted after being briefed by the Ministry of National Defence. No Patriots will be transferred, no S-300s will be transferred. The country is not going to be deprived of what is necessary for its defense and the protection of the key interests of our country. I think it’s good to close this. And something else broader. The Ministry of National Defense is a key Ministry. It is a Ministry in which the doors are always open to inform the Opposition parties, the Political Leaders, in everything that concerns it. There is no national defense of New Democracy, national defense of one party, national defense of another party. There is national defense, that’s why it’s called national. I am always available to inform the Parliament, the parties, about anything more specific they need.

QUESTION: The “Hydra” frigate had the two shots with the Houthis, with the drones. We had an official announcement from GEETHA. How do you comment on her?

NIKOS DENDIAS: I have nothing to comment on other than that there was an extremely successful operation to intercept an attack on a merchant ship, that’s why the ship went there. We know our staff is operating in a danger zone. I said it from the beginning. I had been to “Hydra” while it was operating. It needs the full support of Greek society, but also – let’s not kid ourselves about this either – the crew is gaining invaluable experience in real-world conditions, as is the Patriot array we have in the wider region. And of course – even though you didn’t ask me, I want to tell you – to confirm that if France, the verbal request to provide Crotale for the protection of Paris during the Olympic Games, puts it in writing, our country will consent. Alas if we, the country that has signed – I remind you – a Defense Agreement with the French Republic, does not help in the Olympic Games, which represent everything Greek in this world.